Sea Pro Boats to open $5.5 million plant in Whitmire, hire 238

Boat manufacturer Sea Pro Boats is returning to the boat-building business by investing $5.5 million in a new manufacturing plant that will employ almost 240 workers in a Newberry County town, the company announced Wednesday.

The 200,000-square-foot plant in Whitmire with 238 workers will produce seven models of bay boats and center console, offshore fishing boats, which are new product lines for well-known Sea Pro Boats, company and S.C. Commerce Department officials said.

Sea Pro was founded in 1987 in the Midlands and was bought by Brunswick Corp. in 2005, according to a news release. Jimmy Hancock, one of the original owners, partnered with Preston Wrenn, founder of Tidewater Boats, to launch the “The Next Wave” brand with new boats.

The new site in Newberry County will house the company’s headquarters and manufacturing operations. It should be running by the third quarter of this year.

Hiring is expected to start in early fall. Those interested should contact SC Works or visit seapromfg.com

A $100,000 grant from the Coordinating Council for Economic Development will help with acquisition and improvements to the property.

This story was originally published July 29, 2015 at 11:53 PM.